A long overdue update

Let me first apologize, I had hoped to post to this blog throughout the year. By about, oh, August-ish, I predicted that I could write and say: the project is well underway! The Batsiranai Fathers are making money!

And while I’m happy to report that – as of December – those statements are true, the scale and scope of the project is much smaller than we had hoped.

Let’s start by rewinding to mid-year…

I returned to Zimbabwe excited about the financial gifts I received from many kind-hearted friends and family. One Saturday afternoon, I had a meeting with the majority of the fathers at the Dzivarasekwa Community Centre, and at length we discussed how best to use the donated money to make more money.

Initially the steering committee formulated that, as mentioned in the prior blog posts, it made most sense to use the money to purchase tools and gear to help certain fathers regain their livelihoods: tools for carpenters or bike repairmen; appropriate implements for candle-makers or shoe craftsmen. In Zimbabwe’s hyperinflationary environment, purchasing assets is one way to “sustain the value” of the ever-devaluing dollar. It was envisioned that the selection of tools would be the collective discretion of the men and that money made from the use of these tools would then be shared with the larger group and eventually help to kick-start the poultry project (in conjunction with a loan or some other funding).

I’m happy to say that, collectively, the fathers’ decision-making was further-sighted than the plan initially imagined by the steering committee. The larger group of twelve debated and discussed, and ultimately decided that we’d use the money to purchase a tool that would also be used with the emerging poultry project – a deep freezer.

Very intuitive: by purchasing a freezer, we’d get an asset that would be collectively owned and would benefit the larger group as a whole, while also investing in an implement that would later be instrumental in the poultry project.

To begin, the freezer could be used for “buying and selling.”

Residents of high-density suburbs like Dzivarasekwa face a variety of challenges, but two of note here are: power and transport. Since the price of transport to town and major shopping areas is ever-increasing and power outages make refrigeration a challenge, there is a demand for the door-to-door sale of mincemeat and cutlets. The fathers proposed that one member could travel weekly to purchase mince and cutlets, and these could be kept in the deep freezer. Owing to the fact that multiple-day power outages are infrequent, the men believed that the items could be well-frozen in order persevere the outages, and thawed for selling as needed.

Next step: purchasing a freezer.

Two of the technically-minded fathers (Baba Edith and Baba Precious) and I travelled to various second-hand shops, but eventually we learned that someone within Dzivarasekwa had a used freezer he was selling. We negotiated a reasonable price, and the price was made more reasonable that delivery charges would be lessened: it could be transported across Dzivarasekwa via push-cart.

Good news: all fathers were pleased that the total cost of the freezer would only use about three-quarters of the funds raised.

The bad news: when the gentlemen were placing the freezer in Baba Edith’s house, one corner was dropped. The compressor broke, and the freezer is now inoperable.

I don’t know exactly what to say or how to explain, other than… well, these things happen. We’re certainly dismayed. And apologetic.

The fathers are now deciding the best way to proceed: at present, it seems that the cost of repair of might outweigh the purchase of another used freezer. The broken freezer could be sold to a repair shop.

In the absence of the working freezer, the fathers decided to proceed with some small-scale buying and selling. One father had some extra space in his freezer where unsold cutlets could be stored, and I’m happy to report that – in late October and through November – the men worked together to achieve moderate success in these mince and cutlet sales.

In general, the fathers are attempting to earn money doing some informal trading: buying and selling fruit and veggies from their small plots, doing small jobs like bike repair or light construction. Baba Paul has been most successful in his candlemaking and sales.

Overall, Perhaps Baba Precious is most right in his answer to my query of “how are you and your family?” He cracks a slight smile while ever-so-slightly shaking his head… “oh, you know, Mark, we’re somewhere between good and bad...”

The process of the poultry project

While details of the freezer were being negotiated, the steering committee continued to meet. Of course, major logistics are involved with initiating the poultry project: most primarily the issue of land, a space where we could conduct operations.

This involves gaining permission from the Harare City Council. An application was filed in July, and was routed through the proper channels. The gentlemen were hopeful, because they met with local leaders in Dzivarasekwa who assured them that, owing to the fact that they were social-purpose group, they would be allotted land for the project.

Four months later, and with bi-weekly follow-ups throughout, the land has yet to be approved.

Initially we were told that the space could be provided, but that we would have to pay for all related infrastructure: the running of power, water, and sewage to the site. Obviously, this option is cost-prohibitive.

More recently the gentlemen were told that a space quite near the community centre could be allocated – one that could effectively “piggyback” the infrastructure used by the community centre. The allocation has yet to happen, but the gentlemen continue to follow-up on the allocation several times a month.

Leadership, membership, and patience

Starting a project like this inevitably requires strong leadership, but also a dedicated team. Even more beneficial is a team that is willing to take the lead when the leadership is unclear, weak, or not serving the interests of the larger group.

At the beginning of December, the Batsiranai Fathers elected a new chairperson, and reorganized the steering committee. While it was far from a coup, this change signalled that the fathers are ready to move forward with renewed energy.

Of course, numerous challenges remain. But, during a three-hour meeting on 17 December, the larger group was engaged and offering ideas under the direction of the new chairperson.

The latest news is that the British Embassy’s small projects scheme might be willing to assist with project funds. While the project might now be of a smaller – or entirely different – scale, the fathers are willing to do what it takes to make a project sustainable. First, it might be a buying and selling project, and might later evolve into something else. At present, a poultry project seems out of reach due to the increasing costs of poultry feed and vaccinations -- and the essential concern of land for the project.

In any case, I’ll be sure to keep you better informed. Your interest and support is greatly appreciated by the fathers and their families – it has helped them keep hope during these tough times.

An introduction to the group

The Batsiranai Fathers of Disabled Children are lead by a steering committee of seven men who represent eighteen other fathers of disabled children. The group has also invited widowed mothers of disabled children within the community to be a part of the group. Almost all of these men lost their livelihoods as a result of the Government of Zimbabwe’s Operation Murambatsvina. These men were welders, carpenters, builders, woodworkers, locksmiths, bike repairmen, weavers, barbers, candle and shoe makers -- and had the tools of their trade taken or destroyed by the government's "clean-up" operation. Many also had their homes destroyed. Without the tools of their trades, they are now unable to utilize their talents and practice their livelihoods -- but they have a sincere desire to again contribute to their family’s income and well-being.

The majority of these men’s spouses are generating income through crafts and handiwork as part of the Batsiranai Craft Project, an established and empowering initiative supported by Rokpa International. Inspired by the fact that their wives were working together so successfully, this ‘fathers group’ began meeting in December 2004. In the group’s first meetings, the men were interested in how they might reduce the stigma surrounding people living with disabilities. Disabilities are poorly understood in Zimbabwe, and it is not uncommon for a father to abandon his wife and newborn child when the child has a disability -- blaming either the wife or voodoo for this 'defect.' This 'shameful' view of disabilities is often shared by extended family and the surrounding community.

After the detrimental effects of Operation Murambatsvina in May 2005, the concern of the group turned to income-generation, and in October 2005 they decided that a poultry project would be a beneficial way to empower the group and build income.

In November 2005, I was asked to become the group’s volunteer technical advisor. By the time I was referred, the project was well in motion. The group had already sourced a quotation for the necessary poultry-related items to begin the project, including day-old chicks, feed, and vaccines. The seven members of the steering committee provided me with minutes from their recent meetings which detailed the group’s election of the steering committee, a chairman, a secretary, and a treasurer.

During our first lengthy meeting, it was evident to me that these men have creativity, passion, and a sincere desire to help their children – both via a livelihood pursuit and by helping to remove the stigma associated with disabled children. I feel privileged to be a part of this group, and sincerely believe that they simply need a ‘kick-start’: to be provided with an opportunity that – with hard work and dedication – they could turn into a reality.

Beneficial discussions and actions followed in subsequent weekly meetings. After receiving a business plan template, the group had discussions regarding necessary inputs, marketing, risk factors, and financial management. A group review of relevant resources from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the Network for Smallholder Poultry Development, and the Kyeema Foundation enabled beneficial conversations regarding the delegation of necessary project responsibilities, and the sourcing of technical, poultry-related project guidance. Members of the steering committee were recently selected to lead working project groups: construction, vendor relations, marketing, security, stores management, day-to-day operations.

Further, the group discussed the ways in which the creation of a group identity might both contribute to team-building and also serve a role in marketing. These discussions lead to the creation of an introductory brochure to provide the group's mission and values, along with a listing of the goods and services that they are able to offer. We hired an artist to help create the group's logo, a visual embodiment of what they wished to portray -- a father proudly pushing his child's wheelchair in the open. This pride is further embodied in what the group members call each other: Baba Paul, Baba Mutsa, Baba Sipaphile… as in "Father of Paul…"

Most recently, during the first week of April, the group received funding from Rokpa for a three-day training course offered by the Small Enterprise Development Co-operative. This lead to an action plan, and helped them to materialize their business plan. Market research is now being conducted in order ascertain poultry and egg price points, and a memorandum of understanding is being finalized with a local school where the project will take place.

At present, the group is excited about the momentum of the project, and we can all envision a time when things are not so bad – because now, zvinhu zvakapresa (things are tough). Many group members are especially excited about the time when this project will enable them to again practice those skills and talents that used to bring their families income. They know the benefits that will emerge from hard work and group capacity-building – after the group has created savings, they will have both financial and social capital to share.

How you can help

The group is in the process of seeking parties of who would be interested in helping their cause. Some local fundraising activities are planned, including a meal in Dzivaresekwa with speakers and discussions about people living with disabilities.

Small financial contributions will greatly assist this group. We feel that a poultry project loan or grant is forthcoming, but it will be some time before that is repaid and profits emerge. We feel that, if provided with some assistance in the purchase of the 'tools of their trade,' livelihood regeneration will come more expediently. If the men can again practice the trade that they know best, both the group and their families will benefit.

The group is envisioning a resource shop where they could share tools. There are multiple welders, and carpentry tools would be well utilized. Any monetary pledge could be used to help purchase any of the following items, in order to kick-start these fathers' livelihoods:

Carpentry equipment: electric drills, drill bits, saw cuts, jigsaws, set of chisels, manual plan, claw hammer, spray guns, screwdrivers, tape measures, grease gun

Welding equipment: welding machine, angle grinder, hand drill, welding rods, compressors, blazing rods, flux, grinding/ cutting discs, tap machine, gas bottles

Bicycle repair equipment: screwdrivers, wrenches, vice, hacksaws, tool box equipment,

Shoe and Sandal-making equipment: shoe lasts, lasting pliers, skiving machine, post sewing machine, designing manuals, any accessories

Candle-making equipment: pump motor, books, any accessories

Any donations will go directly towards the purchase of these items. In the spirit of the ten dollar club, this is an opportunity for you to contribute directly to helping these disadvantaged fathers help themselves and their families. You will be providing grassroots support to help these men regain sustainable livelihoods -- please consider making a donation via paypal (via the "Make A Donation" link in the right sidebar or contact me at write.mark (at) gmail.com to arrange a small pledge.

Further, if anyone knows of resources where we might find some of the above smaller items that I could transport back to the men (I return to Zim in mid-May), or an organisation who could donate any of the above (we've tried the American Friends Service Committee’s EMAP), please let me know.

Also, any old/unused cell phones can be unlocked and utilized by these men and their families, not only to help facilitate the poultry project, but also in case of any emergencies with their children.

Certainly, the challenges these families face are many. But the opportunities are also numerous – both the skill and the will to create sustainable livelihoods are there. The Batsiranai fathers know that change and improvement will come chimosa y zvhishoma (little by little) – and are appreciative of any support that can help them gradually build their capacity. They have a deep desire to help their families, and one day dream of being able to provide those things their children truly need: adequate and safe housing in a sanitary environment, nutritious food, proper medication and therapy, and an understanding and supportive community.

While creating the introductory brochure, the group recently chose a slogan: Takabatana Tinobudirira, or: "together we will succeed." And this blog will be updated frequently, detailing the progress of the group's forthcoming success...